GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1973
TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022/PHALGUNA 23, 1943 (SAKA)

“Complaints against GST Officers”

1973. SHRIMATI MAHUA MOITRA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

a. whether there are a lot of complaints about the Goods and Services Tax(GST) officers
misusing the powers of search, seizure and threatening arrests from all walks - right from
sole proprietors to MSMEs to officers of large companies and if so, the reaction of the
Government in this regard;
b. whether given the amount of data automatically collected by the Ministry, physical powers
of arrest are to be removed and if so, the details thereof;
c. whether it is true that while faceless assessment is enabled for income tax, there is also a
large concern about expectations created and harassment of individuals by GST officers
(due to face to face interactions) and if so, the details thereof;
d. whether the Government is planning to carry out a review/ reduction/ elimination of the
powers granted to GST officers and if so, the details thereof; and
e. whether the Government will move to faceless assessment of GST and if so, the details
thereof?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHOUDHARY)

(a) No, Sir. However, a few complaints have been received which have been dealt with as per laid
down procedure.

(b) No such proposal is under consideration.

(c) No, Sir. GST laws and rules made thereunder already provide for online procedures relating to
assessment on the common portal.

(d) No such proposal is under consideration.

(e) There is no proposal under consideration for faceless assessment in GST. Further changes in
GST law and rules are made on the recommendation of the GST Council.

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